Garment treating apparatus



United States Patent [72] Inventor Kenneth M. OBoyle 210 Palomas NE,Albuquerque, N. Mex. 87108 [21 1 Appl. No. 832,205

[22] Filed June 11, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 29, 1970 [54] GARMENTTREATING APPARATUS 1 1 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs.

3,421,668 l/l969 l-loisveetal. 3,433,396 3/1969 Swartz ABSTRACT: Agarment treating apparatus has a frame having an upper support portionon an upper end of a tubular standard with an expansible form dependingfrom the upper support portion. The expansible form has a plurality ofcontoured and padded sections enclosed within an inflatable permeableairbag, with the expansible form sections being movable by adjustmentmeans for expanding and contracting the expansible form to conform to agarment to be treated. Steam means discharge steam into the expansibleform and air bag and vacuum means introduce a vacuum within theexpansible form. Control means are carried on the frame for controllingoperation of the adjustment means, steam means, and vacuum means. Brakemeans are associated with the adjustment means for holding theexpansible form in a selected position conforming to the garment to betreated. An airflow conduit extends into the air bag for flow of heatedair thereinto for heating and inflating the air bag.

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Kenneih M. OBoyle ATTORNEYS PATENTEU M029 1970 SHEET 10 [1F 11 INVENTORv.m w wm B m Ofifi Y nn M e n w PATENTED B8329 1976 saw 11 [If uINVENTOR. B 0' le Kenne'i'hBYM. 0' MA? TORNEYS GARMENT TREATINGAPPARATUS The present invention relates to garment treating apparatus,and more particularly to an improved apparatus for steam treating,pressing, forming, finishing and drying the upper portions of trousersand the like.

I-Ieretofore, garment treating apparatus for treating upper portions oftrousers and the like employed a fixed oval or semicircular buck and atextile fabric air bag for ballooning the trousers to size. Such devicesdo not properly support rear seat portions of the garment, resulting indistortion of the garment and the fixed bucks are limited to a few sizesof trousers, such as the intermediate sizes. Prior devices force therespective garment to conform to the fixed buck, rather than conformingto the garment. Pleat pressing members on prior garment pressing devicesdo not properly align with the pleats of a wide range of waist sizes,such as 28 inches to 48 inches.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide animproved garment treating apparatus for shaping, forming, pressing,steam treating, and drying upper portions of trousers, slacks and thelike in a single lay for a wide range of waist sizes, such as 28 inchesto 48 inches, all without resorting to other means for finishing theupper portions of the trousers; to provide such a garment treatingapparatus having an expansible permeable pressing or treating formhaving a plurality of permeable, padded and contoured form sectionsarranged in a substantially oval or elliptical pattern conforming to theupper portions of a wide range of sizes of garments to be treated; toprovide such a garment treating apparatus having such an expansible formenclosed within a permeable air bag which is secured to and movable withthe form sections for filling voids between the form sections andproperly shaping and finishing noncritical portions of the garmentbetween the form sections during steam and heated air cycles, therebyproviding full support to the upper portions of larger sizes oftrousers, slacks, and the like; to provide such a garment treatingapparatus having automatic braking or locking means for holding theexpansible form in selected positions corresponding to the size of therespective garment being treated, thereby preventing movement of theform sections during treatment of the garment which could stretch ordistort the garment; to provide such a garment treating apparatus havingan auto matic vacuum means for controlling the inflatable air bag inrelation to expansion and contraction of the expansible treating orpressing form, thereby drawing excess portions of the air bag into neatfolds between the form sections and for simultaneously drawing crotchand seat portions of the air bag upwardly and inwardly out of a crotchportion of the form during contraction thereof, thereby facilitatingloading of a garment on the expansible form; to provide such a garmenttreating apparatus wherein the air bag has a high porosity at the I Isides and leg end portions and has limited porosity at the top forrestricting escape of a fluid medium therethrough; and to provide such agarment treating apparatus of sturdy and durable construction which iseconomically manufactured, is rapid and positive in operation, and isparticularly well suited for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will he become apparentfrom the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment treating apparatus embodyingfeatures of the present invention and is shown on a reduced scale.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the garment treating apparatusshown in FIG. 1, having pleatclamping means in an open position and anexpansible pressing form in a retracted state.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the opposite side of the garmenttreating apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and having the pleat clamping meansin an open position and having the expansible pressing form in anexpanded condition with a large pair of trousers mounted thereon.

FIG. 4 is anenlarged top plan view of the garment treating apparatushaving a hood or cowling removed in order to better garment treatingapparatus particularly illustrating steam heating means and a portion ofsteam discharge means.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the garment treatingapparatus showing pleat clamping and pressing means, and is takensubstantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a component of thesteam discharge means.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the severalcontoured members of the expansible pressing form, having a permeableair bag removed therefrom to better illustrate the construction thereof,and is shown in a retracted state.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the contouredmembers of the expansible form shown in FIG. 10,

having the said members in an expanded state to better illustrate theconstruction and operation thereof.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the severalcontoured members of the expansibleform shown in an expanded state, andhaving the permeable air bag mounted thereon and is taken substantiallyalong line 12-12 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the expansiblepressing form particularly illustrating the relation of the permeableair bag to the members of the expansible form and is taken substantiallyalong line 13-13 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a sliding mechanismcomponent of the form expansion means, taken substantially along line14-14 of FIG. 4. I

Referring now more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a garment treatingapparatus for steam treating, pressing, forming, finishing and dryingthe upper portions of trousers and the like. The garment treatingapparatus 1 is supported on a frame 2 having a base structure 3 and anelongated tubular standard 4 supported on the base structure 3 andextending upwardly therefrom with an upper support portion 5 mounted onan upper end of the tubular standard 4. An expansible garment treatingor pressing form 6 depends from the upper support portion 5 and isadapted to expand and contract to conform to a garment 7, such astrousers, slacks and the like. A pair of self adjusting pleat pressingclamps 8 and 9 are operated in conjunction with the expansible form 6. v

The base structure 3 may be of any suitable construction,

such as a casting or a series of welded plates, and is hollow in orderto accommodate foot pedals and electrical switches therein, as willlater be described. The tubular or hollow standard 4 is illustrated as acylindrical member secured to the base structure 3 and extendingupwardly therefrom to a position considerably above the base 3 and isclosed at either end by upper and lower flange plates 10 and 11respectively, thereby forming a steam tight chamber 12, as will later bedescribed.

In the illustrated structure, the upper support portion 5 is a planarflat horizontal support member secured to and extending forwardly fromthe standard 4 and is directly over the base structure 3. A steamdistributor assembly 15 is secured to an underside of the upper supportmember 5 and is positioned adjacent a forward end thereof, as best seenin FIGS. 5 and 9. The steam distributor assembly 15 extends downwardlyinto be described.

Heated air supply means are provided for inflating a permeable air bag17 which is mounted on and encloses the expansible form 6. The heatedair supply means are illustrated as a motor driven air blower 18 whichis centrally located over the upper support member and the air blower 18is carried by a pair of ears or lugs 19 and 20 mounted on angularbrackets 21 which in turn are carried by the upper support member 5, asbest seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The air blower 18 is provided with an air intake opening in the bottomof a blower housing, and air entering therein is heated by means of asuitable steam radiator 22 which is carried within the blower housingand the radiator 22 extends across the air intake opening of the blowerhousing.

Heated air is discharged from the air blower 18 into the expansible form6 and permeable air bag 17 by means of a conduit 23 which communicateswith a suitable electrically operated air valve 24 which in turncommunicates with an air discharge tube 25. The air discharge tube orconduit 25 is connected to the steam distributor assembly 15. The heatedair discharge tube 25 communicates with a conduit 27 which terminateswithin the air bag 17 for expanding same, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 9.

Referring particularly to FIG. 9, the steam distributor assembly 15 hasa hollow ellipsoid manifold 28 surrounding the heated air conduit 27. Apair of steam discharge tubes 29 and 30 having a plurality of orifices31 are connected to a bottom member or wall 32 of the manifold 28. Alateral steam conduit 33 is connected to a rear portion of a sidewall 34of the manifold 28. The steam heating tube 16 follows a serpentine pathand is secured to and forms a part of the steam distributor assembly 15.The steam heating tube 16 engages the steam discharge tubes 29 and 30and the lateral steam conduit 33.

Steam enters the garment treating apparatus 1 from a suitable source ofsupply (not shown) which is connected to a pipe or conduit 35 which isconnected to the steam heating tube 16 by means of an elbow fitting 36.The steam heating tube 16 runs along the sides of, and is soldered to,the steam conduit 33 and the steam discharge tubes 29 and 30 formaintaining the steam conduit 33 and the steam discharge tubes 29 and 30in a heated condition to avoid the formation of condensate thereinduring use of the garment treating apparatus, as best seen in FIGS.4,5,7 and 9.

A steam conduit 37 is connected to the terminal end of the steam heatingtube 16. The steam conduit 37 communicates with steam heating tubes 38and 39 which are soldered to the under side of the support member 5 formaintaining same in heated condition to avoid the formation ofcondensate thereon when steam is discharged into and through theexpansible form 4 during use of the garment treating apparatus. Thesteam heating tube 38 is formed in a series serpentine bends and thesteam heating tube 39 is formed in a generally arcuate path enclosingthe steam heating tube 38, as best shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7.

A steam conduit 40 is connected to the terminal ends of the steamheating tubes 38 and 39. The steam conduit 40 is connected at itsterminal end to the steam radiator 22 within the housing of the airblower 18. A steam conduit 41 is connected to the discharge side of saidradiator 22 and the steam conduit '41 communicates with the interior ofthe standard 4 by means of a steam discharge tube 42 which extendsdownwardly into the standard 4 sufficiently far in order that freemoisture in the form of condensate (discharged from the tube 42) willnot be picked up and discharged through a steam discharge valve 43 iwhen the latter is actuated, as will be later described, as best seen inFIGS. 4, 5 and 7.

A steam conduit 44 is connected to the bottom of the standard 4 andextends laterally out of the base structure 3 and communicates with aconventional steam trap (not shown) for the purpose of discharging spentsteam and condensate from the garment treating apparatus, as best seenin FIGS. 2 and 3.

The magnetic steam valve 43 communicates with the top center of thestandard 4 by means of an elbow 46 and a conduit 47 which extendsdownwardly into the standard 4 for the purpose of obtaining dry steamtherefrom, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. The elbow 46 is connected toan intake side of the magnetic steam valve 43.

A discharge side of the magnetic steam valve 43 is connected to thelateral steam conduit 33 and to a central vacuum system (not shown). Inthe illustrated structure, a close nipple 48 is connected to thedischarge side of the magnetic steam valve and communicates with a union49 connected to thesidewall of a close turn elbow 50. Opposite ends ofthe close turn elbow 50 are connected to the steam conduit 33 by meansof an elbow 51 and to magnetic vacuum valve 52. The vacuum valve 52 isconnected to a vacuum conduit 53 exte nding rearwardly out of thegarment treating apparatus 1, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7. 1

The magnetic steam valve 43 and the magnetic vacuum valve 52 will not beactuated simultaneously during use of the garment treating apparatus,and they will not, therefore, be in conflict one with the other, as willlater be described.

When the magnetic steam valve 43 is actuated, dry steam will flow fromthe chamber 12 in the standard4 into the conduit 47, through the elbow50; the steam conduit 33; a the manifold 28; and will be dischargedthrough the orifices 31 of the steam discharge tubes 29 and 30 into andthrough the. expansible form 6 and permeable air bag 17 and thencethrough the fibers of the garment under treatment; and simultaneously,with the resultant reduction of pressure within the standard 4, steamwill be caused to flow through the steam heating tube 16; and theheating tubes 38 and 39; and the steam radiator 22 thereby maintainingthe steam distributor assembly 15; the support member 5; and theradiator 22 in heated condition during use of the garment treatingapparatus, as best seen in FIGS. 4,5, 7and 9.

When the magnetic vacuum valve 52 is actuated, the vacuum flow will bethrough the orifices 31 of the steam discharge tubes 29 and 30, themanifold 28', the steam conduit 33; and the elbow 50; thus these membersserve the dual purpose of introducing a vacuum within the expansibleform 6 and also carrying and distributing the pressing steam to andwithin the expansible pressing form 6.

The means for expanding and contracting the expansible form 6 areillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 as a series of elongated slots 55 to 64,inclusive, provided in the support member 5. The slots 55 to 64,inclusive, are arranged so as to form an elliptical pattern in theforward end of the support member 5 above the expansible form 6, andeach of the slots 55 to 64, inclusive, is provided with a pair ofgrooved guides 65 which are secured to the support member 5 and whichare disposed one on either side of the said slots 55 to 64, inclusive.Series of blocks or slides 66 to 75, inclusive, are provided withinrespective slots 55 to 64, inclusive. Each of the slides 66 to 75,inclusive, is carried within its respective slot by means of rollerbearings 76 which ride in a groove 77 provided in each of the sidesofthe guides 65, as best seen in FIGS. 4,5, 6 and 14.

Lower bosses of each of the slides 66 to 75, inclusive, extenddownwardly through the slots 55 to 64 inclusive, in the support member 5and carry elongated connecting members in the form of form expansionrods 78 to 87, inclusive, which rods, in turn, carry the severalcontoured members of the expansible form 6, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and14.

A pair of semicircular turntables 88 and 89 are'provided for 7 operatingthe slides 66 to 75, inclusive, and the turntables 88 and 89 are carriedby a pair of vertical shafts 90 and 9] which are journaled at theirlower ends in the support member 5 and at their upper ends in a bracket92 carried by the angular bracket 21, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and6.

Particularly as shown in FIG. 6, a series of pivotal links 93interconnect the turntables 88 and 89 with the slides 66 to 75,inclusive, for the purpose of moving same along the respective slots 55to 64 in response to the pivotal movement of the shafts 90 and 91,thereby expanding and contracting the expansible form 6.

A pair of spur gears 94 and 95 are secured near upper ends of the shafts90 and 91 to mesh with a transmission spur gear 96 which is carried onan elongated vertical shaft 97 which is journaled near its upper end inthe bracket 92 and at its lower end in an ear or lug 98 carried by thebrackbt 92, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the illustrated structure, power means are operatively connected tothe turntables 88 and 89'by; a lateral arm 99 being secured near theupper end of the shaft 90, at a position between the spur gear 94 andthe turntable 88. The a lateral arm 99 extends outwardly from the shaft90 and is pivotally secured at its outer end to a plunger 100 of an aircylinder 101 by means of a suitable clevis 102.

The air cylinder 101 may be of conventional design and manufacture andis provided with a suitable compression spring (not shown) therein forthe purpose of retracting the plunger 100 and the mechanism appendedthereto when the cylinder 101 is void of compressed air. The aircylinder 101 is carried by a bracket 103 which is, in turn, carried bythe support member 5, as best seen in FIGS. 4 andS.

The upper end of the shaft 97 is provided with a fixed arm 104 to whichis secured a suitable air diaphragm 105 which carries a suitable brakeshoe 106 mounted on the plunger of the diaphragm 105. The brake shoe 106is engageable with an upper surface of the bracket 92 when compressedair is applied to the air diaphragm 105, thereby affording a means forlocking the expansible form 6 in a selected position, as will later bedescribed. I

Compressed air is supplied to the garment treating apparatus 1 from asuitable source of supply (not illustrated) through an air tube 107which enters at the rear of the garment treating apparatus 1 andcommunicates with an air manifold 108 which is carried by a bracket 109which is supported on the support member 5, as best seen in FIGS. 4 andA suitable electrically operated form adjustment air valve 110 isconnected to the air manifold 108 by means of a nipple or conduit 111and the air valve 110 and the air cylinder 101 are interconnected by asuitable flexible air conduit 112 for supplying air to the cylinder whenthe air valve 105 is energized.

Operation of the brake shoe 106 is controlled by a suitable electricallyoperated brake control air valve 113 which is carried by the angularbracket 21 and is connected to a compressed air supply conduit 114 bymeans of a union tee 115 and an air conduit 116. The air supply conduit114 is connected to the air manifold 108 for obtaining its supply ofcompressed air therethrough, and a suitable flexible air conduit 117interconnects the brake control air valve 113 with the air diaphragm 105for the purpose of supplying air to the latter when the air valve 113 isenergized, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

When the form adjustment air valve 110 is energized, compressed air willbe admitted to the air cylinderl01, expanding the latter, thus bringingthe slides 66 to 75, inclusive, and the forming rods 78 to 87,inclusive, into a contracted position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Whenthe form adjustment air valve 110 is deenergized, the compression spring(not shown).

within the air cylinder 101 will retract the plunger 100 into the aircylinder 10], thus carrying the slides 66 to 75, inclusive,

' and the form expansion rods 78 to 87, inclusive, into an expandedstate or position, as shown in FIG. 5.

When the brake control air valve 113 is energized, compressed air willbe admitted to the air diaphragm 105, thereby effecting a brake orlocking of the form expansion mechanism in a selected position. When thebrake control air valve 113 is Referring now to the expansible form 6 asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the expansible form 6 comprises a seriesof contoured padded sections,.designated by the lettersA, B, C, D, E, F,G and H. The sections, A to H, inclusive, form a small elliptical shapewhen contracted, and form a large elliptical shape when expanded, asbest shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 inclusive.

Each of the expansible form sections, A to H, inclusive, has a top plate118 and a bottom plate 119 with a series of small diameter rods 120interconnecting the top and bottom plates, and the rods 120 are bent,shaped, or formed so as to conform to the proper shape of the respectiveform section of the trouser top they are to fill, as best seen in FIGS.10, 11 and 12.

The sections A to H inclusive of the expansible form 6 may be made ofany suitable material, such as a heavy gauge wire or a suitable metalmesh fabric, or any othersuitable mate rial which will freely pass steamand air therethrough while affording sufficient support as a base of apressing form.

It is desirable that all metal parts comprising these sections beprovided with a suitable coating-material, such as silicone rubber,which will be unaffected by heat and moisture of free steam, and whichwill prevent the steam from reaching bare metal surfaces which couldresult in the formation of condensate within the expansible form 6.

Each of the several sections of the expansible form 6 is provided withan individual pad 121 which is encased in a suitable textile fabriccover 122 which is permeable to a fluid medium and which cover holds thepad 121 securely in place on the respective form section. The pad 121may be of any suitable material which will offer sufficient resiliencyand which will freely pass a fluid medium, such as steam or air,therethrough.

With continued reference to the expansible form 6, it may be seen inFIGS. 10, 11 and 12 that the sections C and G are formed or archedcorresponding with the proper shape of a pair of trousers at the sidesor outseams thereof, and that sections C and G are disposed along themajor axis of the elliptical form. Sections A and E are disposed alongthe minor axis of the elliptical form, and section B is formed or archedto properly fit the center rear of the trouser top (FIG. 5) and sectionA is formed to fit the front center or fly portion of the trouser topand is provided with an open end elongated slot for receiving the crotchof trousers, as best seen in FIGS. 5, l0 and 11. The form sections B andH are shaped to fit the front portions of the trouser top where thepleats appear, and the sections D and F are formed or arched to fit therear portions of the trouser top above the hip pockets.

When the form expansion mechanism is expanded, as previously described,the forming rods 78 to 87, inclusive, will carry their respective formsections outwardlyinto a separated or open position, thereby forming anenlarged elliptical shape, such as is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 11 and 12.The patch path of the form sections is such that when the form 6 isexpanded, such as in FIGS. 11 and 12, the sections C and G will still bein line with the major axis of the elliptical form and in the properpositions for filling the side seam areas of larger sized trousers andthe sections A and E will still be in line with the minor axis of theelliptical form and will properly fit the front center and rear centerportions, respectively, of the larger sized trousers. A crotch slot 123in the lower end of section A does not change in size or shape duringexpansion and contraction of the expansible form 6 and will still fitthe crotch of larger sized trousers, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

With continued reference to FIG. 11 and the expanded state of the form,the form sections B and H are still in position for supporting the pleatareas of larger sized trousers (the pleats being further apart as thetrouser size increases), and the form sections D and F are also still inthe proper position for supporting the biased hip sections (above thehip pockets) of larger sized trousers.

It will now be understood that the aforementioned critical 7 areas ofthe trouser top (the arched side sections; the pleat sections; thearched hip sections; the arched center rear section; and the bifurcatedcenter front section) will all be properly formed and supported by thepadded contoured sections of the expansible form 6, whether the form isin a retracted state for small trousers, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, orin an expanded state for large trousers, as shown in FIGS. 3, 11 and 12,or in any expanded state therebetween, for intermediate sized trousers.The proper contour of the waist portion of the trousers will thereby bemaintained, regardless of the expansion and contraction of theexpansible form 6 or the size of the trousers being treated thereon, asseen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

It is noted that the form sections D, E, and F are considerably shorterin length than are the remaining sections of the expansible form 6, thusleaving the lower seat sections of the trouser top to be treated andfinished by the inflatable air bag 17. The inflatable air bag 17 ismounted over the sections of the expansible form 6. The bag 17 issimilar in shape to the upper portions of a pair of trousers, and aslarge in size as the largest sized trousers to be treated on theapparatus. The air bag 17 has a crotch portion 124 which extends fromthe top of the elongated crotch slot 123 of section A to the lower endof the center rear section E. The crotch portion 124 passes between thesteam discharge tubes 29 and 30 of the steam distributor assembly 15.

The air bag 17 has a top portion 125 thereof closed and of steam and aportion of the static air therethrough.

The top portion 125 of the air bag 17 is preferably formed of a textilefabric which is woven with sufficient tightness and is treated toprevent the excessive escape of steam, air or vacuum therethrough. Thetop portion 125 is provided with an opening 127 therein which is fittedover a lower end of the steam manifold 28 and is suitably securedthereto as by a drawstring (not shown) or by a large hose clamp 128, as

shown in FIG. 5. The top portion 125 of the air bag 17 has suitablegrommets 129 for securing the bag top on the forming rods 78 to 87,inclusive, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 13.

The air bag 17 is a closed member and will retain sufficient heat asradiated by the steam discharge assembly 15 to maintain the members ofthe expansible form 6 in heated condition when the garment treatingapparatus 1 is not in use. When the garment treating apparatus 1 is inuse, the heated air discharged into the air bag 17 will keep the formmembers dry and in a heated condition in spite of the intermittentdischarge of steam therein, as will be later described.

With continued reference to the inflatable air bag 17, it is preferablethat the air bag 17 be stitched smoothly all around to the pad covers122 of the front expansible form sections A, B and H in order that steamand/or air, discharged into the air bag 17, will not enter sidewaysbetween the layers of the pad covers and the air bag, which action mayresult in the undesirable ballooning" effect in the front of thetrousers. It is also preferable that the air bag 17 be stitched smoothlyto the waistband portions only of the expansible form sections C, D, E,F and G in order that the air bag 17 may be allowed to fly loosely onthe lower portions of these sections, thereby permitting the air bag 17to conform exactly to the garment shape in order that there will be noleave off" marks of the expansible form sections on the face cloth ofthe garment at the points where the expansible form sections terminate.

Unsupported portions 130 of the air bag 17 between the form sections Ato H, inclusive, of the expansible form 6 will be "rounded out" toproperly fit the pants top in these noncritical areas when theexpansible form 6 is expanded and the air bag 17 is inflated with heatedair during the pressing operation. It is to be understood that, althoughthe expansible form 6 will be locked in position at this time, thisrounding out" of the bag 17 between the sections of the form 6 is madepossible by the slight compression of the resilient padding material121. When the air bag 17 is inflated during the pressing operation, anyexcess of the unsupported portions 130 of the air bag 17 will simply begathered in folds between the expansible form sections (depending on thesize of the trousers under treatment) and will not ta transferimpressions of the bag or the folds therein upon the face cloth of thegarment, as best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13.

When the expansible form 6 is rest retracted from the expanded stateillustrated in FIG. 12, as the retraction of the form starts, the vacuumvalve 52 will be actuated, thereby introducing a vacuum within the airbag 17, with the vacuum drawing the unsupported portions into neat foldsbetween the sections of the expansible form 6, as illustrated in FIG.13. The excess of the air bag 17 is thereby out of the way when theexpansible form 6 is retracted for loading a garment thereon, as will belater described. The top, lower seat, crotch and leg end sections of theair bag 17 will also be gathered into folds or puckers by the vacuum asthe expansible form 6 is brought into a retracted state.

A lower seat portion 131 of the air bag 17 is left free to fill a lowerseat portion of the trouser top when the bag 17 is inflated, in orderthat there will be no pocket impressions on the K outer fabric of thegarment, and also in order that the air bag;

17 will automatically compensate for any variation in size or shape ofthe crotch or lower seat sections of the respective garment which may bedue to alterations having been made in the garment, as shown in FIGS. 2and 5.

Referring now to the pleat clamping and pressing means, a pair of fixedbrackets 132 and 133 are disposed on directly opposite sides of thefront end of the support member 5 substantially in line with theelongated slots 56 and 63 respectively. Each of the brackets 132 and 133has a pair of offset bosses 134 and 135 for supporting horizontallydisposed shafts 136 and 137 respectively to which are secured a pair ofangular arms 138 and 139 respectively. An angular bracket 140 ispivotally mounted on the free ends of the arms 138 and 139 and thebracket 140 has a press shoe or plate 141 mounted thereon. A pair of aircylinders 142 and 143 are secured to the tops of the fixed brackets 132and 133 respectively for the purpose of operating the pleat clampassemblies, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8.

The shafts 136 and 137 each extend into the housing enclosing thebrackets 132 and 133, respectively. Each shaft has a spur gear 144mounted thereon to mesh with a toothed rack 145. Each rack 145 is anextension of a plunger (not shown) of the air cylinders 142 and 143 andeach rack is maintained in mesh and alignment with the spur gear 144 bymeans of the needle roller bearing 146, as best seen in FIG. 8.

Each angular arm 138 is complementary to, and in parallel conjunctionwith, the respective angular arm 139 and serves the purpose of helpingto support the press plate 141 while keeping the press plate 141 inproper alignment with the pressing surface of the expansible form 6, asshown in FIG. 8 and as will be later described.

A double air valve 147 is mounted at the front center of the garmenttreating apparatus 1. A pair of manually operated air control knobs 148and 149 are operatively connected to the air valve 147 and the knobs 148and 149 project out the front of the garment treating apparatus, wherethey are in easy reach of an operator. The air supply conduit or feedline 114 connects to the rear of the double air valve 147, and a pair ofair conduits 150 and 151 interconnect the air cylinders 142 and 143respectively with their respective air control valves or knobs 148 and149, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8.

When the air control knob 148 is pressed in, it will admit compressedair to the cylinder 142, thereby causing the cylinder to force therespective rack 145 downwardlythereby closing the respective pleat clampassembly 8. When the air control knob 149 is pressed in, it will causethe air cylinder 143 to close the respective pleat clamp assembly 9 onthe op posite side of the garment treating apparatus 1. When the aircontrol knob 148 is pulled out, it will exhaust the air cylinder 142,allowing the air cylinder retraction spring (not shown to return theclamp assembly. The same is true of the air control knob 149 and the aircylinder 143. Thus, the pleat clamp assemblies may be operated manuallyand individually, as will be later described.

Position A as shown in FIG. 8 of the pleat pressing clamps 8 and 9 isthe open or disengaged position and positions B and C are the engaged orpressing positions with the expanded and retracted expansibleform 6respectively;

A pair of electrical relay switches 152 and 153 are mounted on the topof the double air valve 147, and the switches are operated by the aircontrol knobs 148 and 149, respectively. When either of the knobs 148and 149 is pressed in, the respective switch 152 or 153 will energizethe electric brake control air valve 113, thereby locking the expansibleform 6 in position whenever either or both of the pleat clamp'assembliesare in use, as seen in F168. 4 and 5.

A pair of electric solenoids 154 and 155 are mounted on the back of thedouble air valve 147. When the solenoids 154 and 155 are energized, theair control knobs 148 and 149 will be pushed outwardly, thereby openingthe relay switches 152 and I 153. Opening the relay switches 152 and 153unlocks the exof condensate thereon and to avoid the objectionable glossor shine which may be imparted to some fabrics by the contact of baremetal surfaces. The expansible form sections B and H will be directlybehind the pleat areas of the trousers regardless of the size of thetrousers placed on the form (as previously me described), and the pleatclamp press plates 141 will be in line with the sections B and H of theexpansible form 6 and with the pleats of the trousers regardless of tilethe size of the trousers, as seen in FlGS.4,10.andl1. a

The press plates 141 will be in vertical'alignment with the faces of thesections B and H of the expansible form 6,

.whether the form is in the retracted position C for small trousers, asshown in FIG. 8, or whether it is in an expanded position B for largetrousers as shown in FIG. 8,or at any given position therebetween,depending on the size of the trousers under treatment. The expansibleform sections B and H will automatically be in the proper positionbehind the pleats of any size of trousers as the form expands, and thepleat clamps will automatically be in line with the sections B and H asthe form 6 expands.

The upper portion of the garment treating apparatus is enform adjustmentair valve 110, thereby admitting compressed air to the air cylinder 101,causing the'expansible form- 6 to retract to its minimum size; and (3)energize the magnetic vacuum valve 52, introducinga vacuum within theexpansible form 6 and air bag 17, thereby causing the unsupportedportions 130 of the air bag 17 to be gathered in folds as the expansibleform 6 retracts.

It is, therefore, to be understood that the depression of the foot pedal160 will cause the expansible form 6 to be unlocked (if locked); willcause the pleat clamps to open (if closed); will cause the expansibleform 6 to fully retract; and will cause the air bag 17 to be gathered infolds withinthe expansible form 6 as the form retracts. When the footpedal 160 is released, the vacuum will be shut off; the form willexpand; and the pleat clamp assemblies will remain open and theexpansible form will remain unlocked.

With continued reference to the means for controlling the expansion andcontraction of the expansible form, it is to be understood that when thefoot pedal 161 is depressed, its respective electrical switch (notshown) within the base structure 3 will be caused to close and will: (1)energize the solenoids 154 and 155 which will push the air control knobs148 and 149 forward, thereby opening the electrical relay switches 152and 153, which will exhaust the brake control air valve ,113, therebyunlocking the expansible form 6, and simultaneously with the forwardmovement of the air control knobs 148 and 149, the air cylinders 142 and143 will be exhausted, thereby releasing the pleat clamp assemblies; and(2) energize the form adjustment air valve 110, thereby admittingcompressed air to the air cylinder 101, causing the expansible form 6 toretract to its minimum size.

It is, therefore, to be understood that the depression of the foot pedal161 will cause the expansible form 6 to be unlocked (iflocked); willcause the pleat clamps to open (if closed); and will cause theexpansible form 6 to fully retract. When the foot pedal 161 is released,the expansible form will expand, the

pleat clamps will remain open, and the expansible form 6 will closedwithin a hood or cowling 156 having a series of electrical pushbuttons157, 158 and 159 disposed on the front thereof and in easy reach of anoperator.

A series of foot pedals 160, 161, 162 and 163 are provided in the frontend of the base structure 3 where they are in easy reach of an operator.Each of the foot pedals 160, 161, 162 and 163 is operatively connectedto a suitable electric switch (not shown) mounted within the basestructure 3 and the switches are operated individually by theirrespective foot pedals during use of the garment treating apparatus 1.

Referring to the means for controlling the expansion and contraction ofthe expansible form 6, it is to be understood that when the foot pedal160 is depressed, the respective electric switch (not shown) within thebase structure 3 will be causedto close and will: (1) energize thesolenoids 154 and 155 which will push the air control knobs 148 and 149forward, thereby opening the electric relay switches 152 and 153, whichwill exhaust the brake control air valve 113, thereby unlocking theexpansible form 6, and simultaneously with the forward movement of theair valve knobs 148 and 149, the air cylinders 142 and 143 will beexhausted, thereby releasing both of the pleat clamp assemblies,8 and 9;(2) energize the remain unlocked. The action caused by depression of thefoot pedal 161 is similar to the action caused by the depression of thefoot pedal except that the vacuum valve 52 is not energized when thefoot pedal 161 is depressed, the purpose for this being that the pedal161 is used to retract the expansible form 6 when removing a finishedgarment from the device, and a vacuum is not desired in this phase ofthe operation as the vacuum may tend to disfigure the finished garmentor may tend to draw the pockets of the garment into the spaces betweenthe expansible form sections, where they could become ensnared as theform retracts.

Referring to the means for presteaming the garment 7, the operator mayemploy either of two means which are provided inthe device: (1) theoperator may depress the foot pedal 162 which will close its respectiveelectrical switch (not shown) within the base structure 3 therebyenergizing the magnetic steam valve 43, thereby discharging steam intothe expansible form 6 and air bag 17; and simultaneously energizing thebrake control air valve 113, thereby locking the expansible form 6 inposition to prevent stretching or distorting the garment 7 during thepresteaming operation; or (2) the operator may use the automatic meansfor presteaming the garment by depressing the pushbutton 157, which willcause a preset electrical timer (not shown) to be energized, which will,in turn, energize the magnetic steam valve 43 and the brake control airvalve 1 13 for a given length of time, thus freeing the operator duringthe automatic presteaming cycle, as will be later described.

In relation to the pleat holding and pressing means, it is to beunderstood that when the foot pedal 163 is depressed its respectiveelectric switch (not shown) within the base structure 3 will cause themagnetic vacuum valve 52 to be energized, thereby introducing a vacuumwithin the expansible form 6 and air bag 17 for the purpose of holdingthe pleats of the trousers fast against the face of the expansible formprior to closing the pleat clamps thereon, as will be later described.

As regards the automatic steaming and drying operation, an automaticpreset timing device (not shown) will be provided in the garmenttreating apparatus, and the timing device will have two phases ofoperation, and will start by the depression of the pushbutton 159.

The first phase of the timing device (not shown) will be the steamingcycle, wherein the timing device will energize the magnetic steam valve43, thereby discharging a blast of steam into the expansible form 6 andinto the air bag 17 and simultaneously the timing device (not shown)will energize the brake control air valve 113, thereby locking theexpansible form 6 (for reasons previously described), and at the end ofthe first phase the timing device (not shown) will interrupt the currentto the steam valve 43, thus terminating the steaming cycle,

The second phase of the timing device (not shown) will be the static aircycle wherein the timing device will continue current to the brakecontrol air valve 113, thus keeping the expansible form 6 in a lockedposition during the air cycle, and simultaneously the timing device (notshown) will energize a blower motor 164 and the magnetic air valve 24,thereby discharging heated air into the expansible form 6 and the airbag 17 for inflating the air bag 17 and drying and setting the trousertop. At the end of the second phase, the timing device (not shown) willautomatically shut itself off, curtailing the current to the blowermotor 164, the magnetic air valve 24, and the control air valve 113,

The reason for keeping the expansible form 6 locked during the secondphase of the automatic timing device is that since the pleat clamps maynot necessarily be closed in plain or unpleated trousers, the lockedposition of the expansible form assures that the form will not move dueto static air pressure in the air bag 17 during the air drying andsetting cycle.

The center pushbutton 158 is a reset control for the electrical timingdevice (not shown) previously described, and that the timing device,electrical wiring and switches will all be of conventional design andmanufacture, and, therefore, detailed illustration thereof has not beenincluded herein.

When idle, the garment treating apparatus has the pleat clamps 8 and 9in the open position A and the expansible form 6 in a fully expandedstate, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, therefore, in placingthe garmenttreating apparatus 1 in operation, the operator will have the trousersto be treated in hand and will first depress the foot pedal 160, thusbringing expansible form 6 into a fully retracted state, as previouslydescribed and as is illustrated in FIG. 2. The trousers are then slippedover the expansible from 6 and the foot pedal 160 is released, thusallowing the expansible form 6 to expand to the corresponding size ofthe trousers placed thereon, as previously described and as isillustrated in FIG. 3. Then, if necessary, the trouser top may bepresteamed by either of the two means previously described (depressionof the foot pedal 162 or the pushbutton 157). Thus, if the trousers arebadly wrinkled, this presteaming will relax the fibers of the garment 7and allow it to drape properly on the expansible form. If the trousersare of the pleated variety, the pleats then are adjusted on the face ofthe expansible from 6, in sequence, and the pleat clamps are closedthereon by manipulation of the air control knobs 148 and 149. The vacuummay be employed in this phase of the operation, as previously described,by the use of the vacuum pedal 163. The pushbutton 159 is thendepressed, thereby inducing the automatic steaming and air drying cycle,as previously described, and during which time the operator may absenthimself from the garment treating apparatus 1 in order to press the legsof a previously topped pair of pants on another machine. At the end ofthis automatic steaming and drying cycle the trouser top will befinished and ready for removal from the garment treating apparatus, andthe operator will then depress the foot pedal 161, thereby releasing thepleat clamps and simultaneously unlocking and retracting the expansibleform 6, as previously described, and at which point the topped trousersmay be easily slipped from the garment treating apparatus, and uponrelease of the foot pedal 16]. the

expansible form 6 will again expand to its fullest degree, where it willbe ready for reloading and the cycle of operation may be repeated.

Although I have illustrated and described a preferred and practical formof my invention, the garment treating apparatus may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialcharacteristics thereof, and the foregoing is, therefore, to beconsidered in all respects as illustrative.

I claim:

1. A garment treating apparatus comprising:

a. a frame having a base portion and an upper support portion and anelongated tubular standard supported on said base portion and extendingupwardly therefrom, said tubular standard having opposite ends thereofclosed to form a steam tight chamber, said tubular standard having saidupper support portion mounted on an upper end thereof;

b. an expansible treating form depending from said upper support portionof said frame;

c. adjustment members operatively connected to said expansible form forexpanding and contracting same to conform to a garment to be treated;

d. steam members communicating with said expansible form for dischargingsteam into said expansible form, said steam members communicating withsaid chamber within said standard for receiving dry steam therefrom;

e. vacuum means having members communicating with said expansible formfor introducing a vacuum within said expansible form;

f. control means operatively connected to said adjustment members andsaid steam members and said vacuum means for controlling operationthereof;

g. an inflatable permeable air bag mounted on and enclosing saidexpansible form in a substantially airtight relationship;

h. brake means associated with said adjustment members for holding saidexpansible form in a selected position conforming to the garment to betreated;

i. air flow members extending into said expansible form for dischargingheated air into said expansible form for expanding said inflatablepermeable air bag; and

j. heating means carried on said framefor heating said expansible form.

2. A garment treating apparatus comprising:

a. a frame having an upper support portion;

b. an expansible treating form depending from said upper support portionof said frame, said expansible treating form having a plurality ofelongated padded sections;

c. adjustment members operatively connected to said expansible form forexpanding and contracting same to conform to a garment to be treated,said adjustment members being operatively connected to each of said formmembers to move all of said padded sections between an ex- I tendedposition and a contracted position and any selected positiontherebetween;

d. an inflatable permeable air bag mounted on and enclosing saidexpansible form in a substantially airtight relationship, saidinflatable air bag enclosing said padded sections and having unsupportedportions between adjacent padded sections;

e. steam members communicating with said expansible form for dischargingsteam into said expansible form;

. vacuum means having members communicating with said expansible formfor introducing a vacuum within said expansible form to draw theunsupported portions of said air bag between said padded sections whensaid vacuum means is activated; and

g. control means'operatively connected to said adjustment members andsaid steam members and said vacuum means for controlling operationthereof.

3. The garment treating apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including:

a. a brake shoe operatively connected to said control means and movableover a fixed surface and selectively engageable therewith; and

b. an arm supporting said brake shoe and operatively connected to saidadjustment members whereby said adjustment members are held in aselected position when said brake shoe is engaged with said fixedsurface.

4. The garment treating apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said brake shoe is adapted to be moved between an extended positionengaging said fixed surface and a retracted position in response tooperation of said control means;

b. said adjustment members are operatively connected to an extensiblemember whereby adjustment members are moved in response to operation ofsaid extensible member; and

c. said extensible member is operatively connected to said control meansand is movable between an extended and contracted position in responseto operation of said control means whereby the extensible member isadapted to position said padded sections in the extended position and inthe contracted position and in any selected position therebetween andsaid brake shoeis adapted to hold the padded sections in the selectedposition.

5. A garment treating apparatus comprising:

a. a frame having an upper support portion;

b. an expansible treating form depending from said upper support portionof said frame;

c. adjustment means associated with said expansible form for expandingand contracting same to conform to a garment to be treated;

d. steam means associated with said expansible form for dischargingsteam into said expansible form;

e. vacuum means associated with said expansible form for introducing avacuum within said expansible form;

f. control means associated with said adjustment means and said steammeans and said vacuum means for controlling operation thereof;

g. an inflatable permeable air bag mounted on and enclosing saidexpansible form in a substantially airtight relationship;

h. air flow means extending into said expansible form for dischargingheated air into said expansible form for expanding said inflatablepermeable air bag;

i. heating means carried on said frame for heating said expansible form;

j. brake means associated with said adjustment means for holding saidexpansible form in a selected position conforming to the garment to betreated;

k. a pair of pleat pressing clamps;

l. a self-adjusting linkage associated with each of said pressing clampsfor moving same into pressingengagement with a garment on saidexpansible form; and

m. control means associated with each of said self-adjusting linkagesfor moving same into and out of a pressing position.

6. The garment treating apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidadjustment means includes:

a. at least one elongated connecting member extending between andconnected to said adjustment means and to each of said sections of saidexpansible form;

b. a plurality of guides associated with said upper support portion;

c. a slide member mounted on each of said connecting members and movablewithin a respective guide; and

d. power means operatively connected to each of said connecting membersfor moving said expansible form sections between said contractedposition and said expanded position.

7. The garment treating apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

a. said power means is an extensible member operatively connected tosaid control means; and b. said operative connection of said power meansto said connecting members is a plurality of turntables each operativelyconnected to said extensible member and a plurality of elongatedlinkages each having one end connected to one of said turntables and theother end thereof connected to a respective slide member. 7

8. The garment treating apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidsteam means includes:

a. a closed tubular manifold within said expansible fonn;

b. steam flow means communicating with said tubular manifold; and

c. steam discharge members communicating with said manifold, said steamdischarge members being positioned within said expansible form andhaving a plurality of orifices for discharge of steam into saidexpansible form and air bag.

9. The garment treating apparatus asset forth in claim 8 wherein:

a. said heating means comprise a steam tube engaging said steam flowmeans and said steam discharge members and said upper support portionfor heating same;

b. said air flow means extend through said manifold with the air flowmeans being between said steam discharge members; and

c. said steam tube extends through said manifold for heating said airflow means.

10. The garment treating apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein saidair flow means includes:

a. a motor driven air blower mounted on said upper support portion;

b. radiator means associated with said air blower for heating airpassing therethrough;

c. conduit means connected to said air blower and extending into saidexpansible form; and

d. air valve means associated with said conduit means for controllingflow of heated air to said expansible form.

11. The garment treating apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein saidvacuum means includes said tubular manifold and said steam flow meansand said orifices in said steam discharge members, said vacuum beingcreated by actuation of vacuum valve means.

